Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively Acquire Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) system
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, intends to non-competitively acquire a Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) system from Annealsys. This system is for the Boulder Micro-Fabrication Facility (BMF) and must meet specific technical requirements, including handling larger substrates and fitting within a constrained space. This is a Special Notice of intent to award a sole-source contract. Responses from other capable sources are due by May 22, 2026.
Scope of Work
NIST requires an RTA system capable of annealing substrates up to 150 mm, an upgrade from the current 100 mm capacity. The new system must be similar to the existing Annealsys unit but include a vacuum chamber. Key requirements include fitting within a 1m x 1m x 2m space and featuring an optical pyrometer for direct in-situ substrate temperature measurement.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice (Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source)
- Set-Aside: Not applicable (intended sole source)
- NAICS: 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Authority: FAR 12.102(a)
- Response Due: May 22, 2026
- Published: May 8, 2026
Evaluation
NIST conducted market research from August 2025 to May 2026, concluding that only Annealsys could meet all minimum requirements, particularly regarding the specific space constraints and the optical pyrometer for direct temperature measurement. Other manufacturers' systems were either too large or lacked the required pyrometer specifications.
Additional Notes
This notice is not a request for quotation, and a solicitation will not be issued. However, any sources believing they can meet NIST's minimum requirements are encouraged to respond. Responses should include the company's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), detailed capabilities meeting or exceeding requirements, evidence of authorized reseller status (if applicable), and any other information to demonstrate competitive capability.